Eager and ready to prove himself, reliever Rafael Betancourt showed up at Coors Field this afternoon ready for duty. He’s available for tonight’s game against the Giants. Manager Jim Tracy confirmed that Betancourt will be the Rockies’ primary eighth-inning man.

“It was tough to leave Cleveland, because I had been there my whole career in the big leagues,” Betancourt said. “But I’m excited. I think I can help this team win. Yesterday I was a little bit sad, but now it’s very exciting.”

Also available tonight is Jhouyls Chacin, the organization’s top pitching prospect. He will be used in a long relief role until further notice.

“Yeah, I’m a little bit nervous, but it’s good to be here,” he said. “I didn’t think I would go right to the major leagues from Double-A. It’s kind of amazing.”

To make room on the roster, the Rockies placed Manuel Corpas on the disabled list (retroactive to July 21) and designated right-hander Ryan Speier for assignment. Corpas underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow this morning. One small bone chip was removed. He will be reevaluated in a couple of weeks.

Facing Giants right-handed ace Matt Cain, Tracy is lining up Rockies hitters who have had a smattering of success vs. Cain. That’s why Garrett Atkins gets the start at third base and bats cleanup. Atkins is 12-for-37 with two homers and five RBIs vs. Cain (11-2, 2.32 ERA). Also, Ryan Spilborghs (3-for-6, two homers) gets a rare start. He’ll be in left. Clint Barmes (0-for-10) takes a seat on the bench, replaced at second base by Ian Stewart.

DENVER — Working with colleague Patrick Saunders on this story, The Denver Post has learned today that Jhoulys Chacin will join the Rockies’ bullpen Friday.

Saunders spoke with general manager Dan O’Dowd this morning, who confirmed the move. There will be a fuller story on this on the website shortly.

Chacin was pulled from his Double-A start last night “as a precaution for possible, future organizational moves.” Chacin is the Rockies’ top minor league pitching prospect. He profiles as a reliever, at least initially, because he as a good sinker and changeup. Chacin made a strong impression during spring training, and O’Dowd said then that it was possible that the right-hander could make the jump from Double-A.

The move comes in wake of Manuel Corpas’ latest setback with his elbow. He will have surgery Friday.

DENVER — Jhoulys Chacin, the Rockies’ top minor league pitching prospect, was pulled from his Double-A start last night after just one inning and will join the Rockies’ bullpen Friday.

Working with colleague Patrick Saunders on this story, The Denver Post has learned today of Chacin’s promotion.

He profiles as a reliever, at least initially, becuase he as a good sinker and changeup. Chacin made a strong impression during spring training, and general manager Dan O’Dowd said then that it was possible that the right-hander could make the jump from Double-A.
The move comes in wake of Manuel Corpas’ latest setback with his elbow. He will have surgery Friday.

A tip of the hat to purplerow.com bloggers who were all over this last night.

The Rockies have internally discussed Boston’s Takashi Saito, Baltimore’s George Sherrill and Arizona’s Chad Qualls, but don’t like the acquisition price.

DENVER — Talked to Manuel Corpas in the clubhouse. He was in a good mood, watching music videos on YouTube. Talked to him 20 minutes after a 25-pitch bullpen session and he was in an even better mood. He’s convinced he’s fine and believes he will go out on a rehab assignment Wednesday. He didn’t know where, but it will likely be Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Colorado Springs. He has bone chips in his elbow. He acknowledged that he could have surgery after the season, but believes he can come back this year and help.

“I feel fine. I am ready to pitch,” said Corpas, who could rejoin the team after the all-star break if all goes well.

There’s more on this story on the website (look to your left).
During the pregame, manager Jim Tracy fielded a lot of questions about Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez. He said Gonzalez continues to get starts, in part, because of his excellent defense. Tracy doesn’t think there are many left fielders with his range, which helps take away runs at Coors Field. As for Fowler, he said there’s “I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do as he continues to develop.” Power, he admitted, will be the last thing to come.

DENVER — Double-A star pitcher Jhoulys Chacin and speedy Triple-A second baseman Eric Young Jr. have been recognized for their strong seasons with a signinifcant honor. Both have been selected to participate in the Futures Game for top prospects held in conjucntion with the All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Young will play on the U.S. Team for manager Ozzie Smith, while Chacin will be a member of the World roster led by Jose Oquendo.
They are in good company. The game will begin at noon mountain time and can be viewed live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.TV

There have been 52 players who have competed in both the XM All-Star Futures Game and the Major League All-Star Game. In 2008, a record 23 Major League All-Stars were alumni of the XM All-Star Futures Game (including Alfonso Soriano who was replaced on the All-Star roster due to injury), edging the previous mark of 22 set in 2007.

Smith, part of the Matt Holliday deal with Oakland, said he’s 90 percent sure that he’ll have a 60-pitch rehab start Tuesday at Double-A Tulsa. He’s battled a shoulder strain all spring and his rehab was shut down on May 24 a one-hit five-inning stint with Colorado Springs.

“I decided a needed about two weeks to let it heal,” he said. “I’ve taken anti-inflammatories for my shoulder and it’s really helped.”

Smith has endured a roller coaster year. He got a severe case of the flu during spring training, then his shoulder flared up.

He has eyes on returning to the Rockies’ rotation at some point this season. Could he replace the mercurial Jorge De La Rosa? Or will De La Rosa bounce back, as he did last season? Will it be Franklin Morales, recently designated back to Triple-A, who moves into a starter role?
Intriguing questions for a rotation that has been lights out during the recent run back to respectability.

The Rockies head into this afternoon’s game looking for their fourth straight series win and a chance to climb to .500 for the first time since April 15.

Phoenix — In a move designed to add bullpen depth, and a possibly another starter, the Rockies have acquired Tampa Bay right-hander Jason Hammel in exchange for Double-A pitcher Aneury Rodriguez. General general manager Dan O’Dowd confirmed the deal this afternoon as the Rockies held a workout to get ready for Monday’s season-opener vs. the Diamondbacks.

The deal, whose parameters were first reported by The Denver Post on Saturday, gives the Rockies another power, versatile arm in the bullpen. Hammel will be added to the 25-man roster at some point this week, which could spell the end for power right-hander Juan Morillo.

Hammel, 26, became available when he lost the fifth starters’ job in Tampa Bay. Rodriguez is considered an under-the-radar prospect, ranked among the Rockies’ top 20 minor-league players. It can be debated, however, that Rodriguez’s ceiling has already been reached by Hammel. This move makes sense because Hammel can spot start and pitch multiple innings in relief.

In order to make room for Hammel on the Rockies 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. He’s out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Hammel, 26, is 7-15 with a 5.90 ERA in 73 major league games, including 28 starts for Tampa Bay. He made 40 appearances (five starts) for the Rays last season, going 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA as a starter and 2-2 with 2 saves and a 4.44 ERA as a reliever.

There is growing momentum for a trade to transpire between Tampa Bay and the Rockies involving right-hander Jason Hammel. The Rays heavily scouted the Rockies this past week, keeping a close eye on Double-A starter Aneury Rodriguez.

Hammel is 26 with a power arm. He would give the Rockies another guy who could throw multiple innings in the bullpen, and also could spot start. If he’s acquired, Juan Morillo would likely be the odd man out. Morillo has drawn interest from the Florida Marlins this spring.

Hammel is competing with Jeff Niemann for the Rays’ fifth starter job. Both are out of options, and being shopped. According to a Rockies’ source, the team isn’t nearly as interested in Niemann as Hammel.

What was first a hip flex injury then a groin problem will not be an issue on April 6. Garrett Atkins told The Denver Post today that everyone should expect him to be in the lineup on opening day against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I will be ready,” Atkins said by text message.

The third baseman has missed significant time this spring with the nagging leg injuries. The groin injury occurred during team drills, and has responded well to treatment. Atkins has gradually worked back into activity by hitting then fielding groundballs. Moving laterally is the biggest issue, both on defense and on the bases.

It’s impossible to oversate the importance of Atkins to the Rockies’ lineup. Even with a down year last season, he’s a proven run producer. This spring, with a slight adjustment to get his bat off his shoulder, he’s hit .471 while showing the gap-to-gap power that has made him one of the Rockies’ most productive players over the last four years.

The Rockies travel to Mesa today to face the Cubs. Catcher Chris Iannetta is on the trip and is expected to start. He’s been out of the Rockies’ lineup for the past three weeks as he starred in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA. He will catch a new face. Left-hander Greg Smith makes his first official Cactus League appearance since March 3. Smith was sidelined with the flu and his most recent outing came in a minor league game. Because the Rockies won’t need a fifth starter until the middle of April, at the earliest, there’s still time for him to get ready for the season. He could start in Triple-A Colorado Springs or Double-A Tulsa, if the weather is better, then get called up.

The Rockies, who have won two straight games, will face Chad Gaudin, Jeff Samardzija and Kevin Gregg, among others.

Signing off from LAX, next post, United Airlines willing, will be from Arizona.

Part of the charm of the internet is that every baseball move can be dissected within seconds of the deal. There were some educated guesses in the blogosphere Wednesday that the Rockies’ acquisition of outfielder Matt Murton was a precursor to a Garrett Atkins trade. The thinking would be that Murton would play left, freeing Ian Stewart to take over full time at third, making Atkins expendable.
Interesting theory, but not reality. I posed the question directly to GM Dan O’Dowd yesterday.

“I don’t know where that came from, but this isn’t about another trade,” O’Dowd said. “We have liked Murton for a long time.”

O’Dowd simply wanted balance, adding a right-handed bat to an outfield mix full of left-handed hitters since Jeff Baker will focus on infield work in spring training. Murton has minor-league options remaining if he doesn’t make the team. O’Dowd said he would have never made the deal without that roster flexibility.
“We liked Matt’s plate discipline, his walk-to-strikeout ratio,’’ said O’Dowd, who shipped Double-A infielder Corey Wimberly to Oakland. “And he performed well this winter in Venezuela when we saw him. He’s in a good place right now.”
Footnote
The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with Brian Tallet on a one-year, $1.015-million deal.

The Rockies continued adding to their outfield depth this offseason, acquiring Matt Murton from the A’s in exchange for speedy infielder Corey Wimberly.

Wimberly got squeezed out with the presence of Eric Young Jr. and Chris Nelson, both of whom will receive long looks in spring training. Murton has bounced around a bit. The 27-year-old’s arrival leaves the Rockies at a full 40-man roster entering spring training.

Murton, once a Chicago Cub, has a .288 lifetime average with 28 home runs and 106 RBIs in 317 games. He will be in the mix for a reserve outfield spot along with Ian Stewart, Carlos Gonzalez and Dan Ortmeier among others. Murton was flipped to Oakland last July as part of the Rich Harden trade.

Wimberly, 25, was a sixth-round pick by Colorado in the 2005 draft. He owns a career .312 average in the minors and led Double-A with 58 stolen bases last season.

Eric Young Jr., who has a terrific Arizona Fall League showing as both a second baseman and outfielder, was among the headliners as the Rockies filled out their 40-man roster leading up to the Rule 5 draft. Among the others added:
RHPs Samuel Deduno, Shane Lindsay, Ryan Mattheus, infielder Hector Gomez, infielder Chris Nelson. Edwin Bellorin, a backup catcher, was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs. The following is background provided by the Rockies’ PR release:

Deduno, 25, a native of La Romana, Dominican Republic, was signed by Colorado as a non-drafted free agent in March, 2003. He did not pitch in 2008 after undergoing surgery on his right elbow. The 25-year-old last played in 2007, when he finished the season at Tulsa and led the Texas League in strikeouts (121).

Lindsay, 23, was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Rockies out of Bacchus Marsh College in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003. He split the 2008 season between Single-A Modesto and Asheville. Lindsay made 10 starts for the Nuts, going 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA (47.1 ip, 21 er). In six starts for the Tourists he went 1-2 with a 5.55 ERA (24.1 ip, 15 er). He has also struckout 25 batters in 21.1 innings through 7 games/4 starts for the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.

Mattheus, 25, was selected by Colorado in the 19th round of the 2003 draft. He signed with the club on May 30, 2004. He spent all of 2008 at Double-A Tulsa, where he posted a 2-5 record with a 3.28 (57.2 ip, 21 er) ERA, and led the club with 17 saves. The 25-year-old right-hander was selected to the Futures Game in 2008.

Gomez, 20, was originally signed by Colorado as a non-drafted free agent in the summer of 2004. He began the season Single-A Modesto before being injured by fouling a ball off his left knee. He batted .333 (1-for-3) in one game prior to the injury. In 2007, he was named a midseason and postseason South Atlantic League All-Star. The infielder will be entering his fifth season with the organization.

Nelson, 23, a first round selection (9th overall) by the Rockies in the 2004 June draft just completed his fifth season in the Rockies organization. He split 2008 between Double-A Tulsa and Single-A Modesto. The infielder spent the majority of the season with the Drillers, hitting .237 (67-for-283) with 3 home runs, 42 RBI and 6 stolen bases. He has hit .329 (27-for-82) with 6 home runs and 17 RBI for Phoenix in the Arizona Fall League. Nelson was in Major League Spring Training camp for the first time last season.

Young, Jr., 23, was selected by Colorado in the 30th round of the 2003 draft and signed with the club on May 28, 2004. He hit .290 (117-for-403) with 24 doubles in 105 games for Double-A Tulsa in 2008. His 46 stolen bases ranked 3rd in the Texas League behind teammate Corey Wimberly (59) and Frisco’s Elvis Andrus (53). The infielder/outfielder is currently participating in the Arizona Fall League and was named Player of the Week for the week of October 27. For the week, he hit two grand slams, the first inside-the-park, while batting .440 (11-for-25). Young currently leads the Arizona Fall League with a .429 average (42-for-98) and 20 stolen bases. In five minor league seasons he has hit .292 with 245 stolen bases. Young is the son of former Major Leaguer and Colorado Rockie Eric Young.

Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras was claimed on waivers, according to a major league source. It’s unclear at that this point who claimed him. The Rockies can simply pull Taveras back, negating any trade discussions. That’s a more likely scenario given the team’s surge in the standings and Taveras’ recent hot streak while hitting second.
Opposing team executives can see when a player is claimed, but not the identity of the claiming club. Taveras was placed on waivers Tuesday that expired Thrusday.
It works like a draft, with the teams with the worst records getting first dibs. The Washington Nationals have expressed previous interest among non-contenders. The Phillies and Mets, among those competing for playoffs spots, also have had Taveras on their radar at various points this season.
Teams often place players on waivers without any interest in moving them. It’s simply tool to find out which teams have interest. The Rockies are expected to aggressively try and trade Taveras this offseason as his salary is in line to jump to around $4 million.
Earlier this week, the Rockies’ removed Cory Sullivan off the 40-man roster, a likely precursor to the arrival of Double-A star Dexter Fowler. Ryan Spilborghs, on a rehab assignment, will return on Monday.

If the Rockies are going to save this season, they need their closer. And reinforcements from their minor-league roster.
Brian Fuentes rejoined the team today for the beginning of a three-game series with the last-place San Diego Padres. Fuentes was placed on the bereavement list Tuesday to tend to a personal matter. Tonight was the earliest he could return based on league policy.
Steven Register was no longer listed on the lineup card, and was expected to be optioned out to Triple-A Colorado Springs for their final weekend.
Fuentes has been a dominating force in the bullpen over the past two months, converting 13 consecutive opportunities since July 3. His ERA during that stretch is 0.87.
The Rockies have also begun quietly tweaking their roster to make room on the Sept. 1 call-ups. An inspection of their official 40-man roster on the team website today revealed that Cory Sullivan has been removed. That would likely open up a spot for Olympian Dexter Fowler. Ryan Spilborghs, showing no problems with his strained left oblique during a rehab assignment, will be activated Monday. Reliever Matt Herges is expected back then. Reliever Casey Weathers will not join the team, but rather participate in the Fall League. Weathers, a former No. 1 pick, has been a star in Double-A Tulsa this season and figures to begin next spring as a strong candidate to make Colorado’s bullpen.
Others under consideration that haven’t been previously mentioned include infielders Jon Herrera and Christian Colonel. But Hurdle talked today about the difficulty of them finding playing time if they are called up, which hurts their chances.
A look at tonight’s lineups:
Rockies (63-72, six games back)
2B Clint Barmes .287
CF Willy Taveras .259
LF Matt Holliday .340
RF Brad Hawpe .294
1B Garrett Atkins .293
3B Ian Stewart .311
C Chris Iannetta .275
SS Troy Tulowitzki .241
RHP Aaron Cook (15-8, 3.91)

Packed lugged in front of a locker is usually a sign of the end. For Matt Herges, it marked the beginning.
The Rockies reliever was heading to the airport and will join Triple-A Colorado Springs in Las Vegas this weekend on a rehab assignment. The bulging disc in his back has not vanished, but time off has allowed the right-hander to manage the discomfort better. Herges hopes to pitch three times for the Sky Sox, and no fewer than two.
“I threw my bullpen session today and I felt sharp. My pitches were down,’’ Herges said.
The Rockies face several decisions on potential call-ups, and have begun those discussions. Among pitchers Franklin Morales remains in the mix, along with Double-A star Casey Weathers and others. Morales won his 10th game last night. He will be viewed as both a reliever and starter when considering him for a promotion, according to manager Clint Hurdle.
“You want to exhaust all options,’’ Hurdle said.
Colorado can move to within five games of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first time since April 21 with a win tonight. The Diamondbacks lost again in San Diego.
“We are still in this thing,’’ center fielder Willy Taveras said. “This could get interesting.’’
Livan Hernandez could be pitching for spot in the rotation tonight. He has a 15.32 ERA in three starts with Colorado. Hurdle believes he deserves a longer look, but the leash is short.
“We need better out of him,’’ Hurdle said. “In info shared with me from other people they will ask, ‘How can you do this?’ How can I not give a guy with his pedigree a fourth start? They say that I am giving up on the season. How lame is that? There’s a bigger issue involved. You have give him a viable opportunity.’’
Hernandez won’t have much margin for error facing Tim Lincecum, who is 14-3 and should finish in the top 3 of the Cy Young Award voting. Also, Brian Fuentes remains away from the club. He was placed on the bereavement list. As a result, his waiver-period is halted. It would have ended today, but will resume when he returns to the active roster.
A look at the lineups:
Rockies (63-71)
2B Barmes
CF Tavares
LF Holliday
RF Hawpe
1B Atkins
3B Stewart
C Iannetta
SS Tulowitzki
RHP Hernandez

See ya, tradition. Turn out the lights when you leave.
While progress is necessary, and inevitable, some things are better off left alone. Let’s be honest: opening day in Japan is a mistake. The defending champion Boston Red Sox began the regular season today with a 6-5, 10-inning victory against the Oakland A’s at the Tokyo Dome. Read more…

Rock on, Rockie.
That center fielder Dexter Fowler delivered two hits in Colorado’s Cactus League-opening win over the White Sox was due in part to Guitar Hero. The wildly popular video game was instrumental in helping Fowler heal in his broken right hand last summer. Read more…

Before fake games begin, real impressions are made on the backfields. On Sunday morning, former No. 1 pick Greg Reynolds turned some heads during live batting practice. Reynolds, you’ll remember, was on the fast track to the major leagues last summer before his shoulder began aching. Read more…

Nashville, Tenn. – The winter meetings’ version of the closing scene – the Rule V draft – closed without the Rockies peeking their head out of the curtain for headlines. But they haven’t staged their final act. Read more…

Much has been made of the shortcomings of the Rockies’ starting rotation, but their offense hasn’t been too hot lately, either. Wednesday night marked the seventh time in the last 13 games the Rockies scored three runs or less. They are 1-6 in those seven games.

Rockies starter Rodrigo Lopez had his right arm rebuilt Wednesday. He had both ligament transplant surgery (aka Tommy John surgery) and flexor tendon repair to his right elbow. Lopez, of course, is out for the season.

Right-hander Greg Reynolds, the second overall selection in the 2006 June draft who was pitching for Double-A Tulsa, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Friday at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Denver.

Super-utilityman Jamey Carroll makes his first career start in right field today. He replaces Brad Hawpe as Hawpe continues struggling against left-handed pitchers. Southpaw Paul Maholm is on the hill for the Pirates this afternoon.

By the numbers: Matt Holliday enters today’s game with a 12-game hitting streak, the longest active streak in the majors. He has four hitting streaks of 10 games or longer this season, more than any other player.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.